New Weapons of War
Death by the Numbers
Hand Grenades
The Union issued Ketchum Grenades that was thrown like a dart and explodes with gunpowder on impact.
Rocket Launchers
Resembling large bottle rockets, these were so inaccurate that they weren't used much.
Hot Air Balloons
These balloons allowed generals to get an aerial view of the battlefield. Primarily used for recon, a balloon tethered to the ground with a telegraph line could give real time updates to those on the ground.
Machine guns
The Gatling gun was never ordered by the government in bulk, but private purchases could be made by Generals like Gen. Benjamin Butler did. Viewed as too inefficient and slow, these were generally used for defense in strategic locations.
Landmines
Mainly a Confederate weapon, these were typically an iron container rigged with explosives and a pressure-sensitive detonation system. Often viewed as an "unethical" form of combat, Union General McLellan said it was "barbarous", and Confederate General Longstreet banned their use for a short time.
Facts
- a six-barreled gatling gun was capable of firing up to 350 rounds a minute
- mines were also called "torpedoes"
- underwater mines were also used against new ironclad ships
- The Union had an official Balloon Corps
- Early grenades were inefficient; soldiers could catch the explosives and throw it back at the enemy before it detonated